CEFPI Efforts Pay Off
House Approves Green High Performing Public Schools Facilities Act
Washington, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act.

“CEFPI has been one of the lead advocates for this legislation for over a year and was involved in crafting the language for the green renovation portion of the State Stabilization Fund (Title VIX) of the AARA as well as the Miller bill introduced last session,” stated Sue Robertson, president, CEFPI.

The multi-year school construction bill would provide states with funding to make grants and low interest loans so school districts could build, modernize and repair facilities to make them healthier, safer and more energy-efficient, while also making hundreds of thousands of jobs available. The bill passed 275-155, and now goes to the Senate, which took no action after the House passed similar legislation last year.

The funds, totaling $6.4 billion for 2010, would be allotted under a formula based on a district’s share of students from low-income families, but the bill guarantees that every district that receives federal money for low-income students will get at least $5,000. A majority of the funds will have to be used for projects that meet green standards for construction materials and energy sources.

John Ramsey, executive director/CEO, CEFPI noted, “CEFPI , together with our partners, will continue our efforts to explore various AARA funding mechanisms, isolating the areas of money that affect educational facilities and will serve as the resource for all aspects of school planning, design, construction, and maintenance.